Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy is traveling to London today to
attend an International Commission of Inquiry into the case of the Cuban Five
being held on 7th and 8th March at the Law Society. Mr
Murphy will also attend a briefing this afternoon in Westminster for MPs and
European parliamentarians.

Mr Murphy strongly criticised the British Government’s
refusal to grant René González, one of the Cuban Five, a visa to visit Britain.

Conor Murphy said:

“René Gonzalez was released from prison after 15 years and
returned to Cuba last year. He was due to be one of the principal witnesses at
the International Commission.

“I am pleased and look forward to attending the
International Commission of Inquiry, on behalf of Sinn Fein. The breadth of
participants and support for the event reflects the high level of international
concern over the case of the Cuban Five.

“However, the decision of the British Government to deny
René Gonzalez an entry visa is entirely wrong. Rene was due to attend and give
his evidence to the Commission.

“Rene was imprisoned for over 15 years in the US, but the
trial which convicted him and four other people, was labelled as unjust by
Amnesty International.

“The trial was also criticised by the UN Human Rights
Commission, and eight Nobel Prize winners have petitioned the US attorney
general, calling for freedom for the Five.

“The International Commission this week is tasked with
investigating the fairness of the trial. The event will go ahead, with an
impressive array of international figures taking part and giving support.

“Given the highly politicised case of the Cuban Five, I can
only conclude that this decision has not been taken in the public interest, but
for purely political reasons. To deny Rene entry to Britain and the opportunity
to give his evidence at the Commission is wrong. I strongly support the
organisers in their efforts to reverse the decision.”